U.S. patent application number 15/877778 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-26 for dishwasher.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Taehee LEE, Joonho PYO, Gapsu SHIN, Sangheon YOON.
Application Number | 20180206696 15/877778 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61024633 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180206696 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
YOON; Sangheon ; et
al. |
July 26, 2018 |
DISHWASHER
Abstract
A dishwasher includes a tub, a spray arm, a sump, a pump body,
the pump body including a partition between first and second
chambers, a communication hole in the partition that communicates
with the first and second chambers, a pump flow path that connects
the sump to the first chamber, an arm flow path that connects the
spray arm to the second chamber, an impeller in the second chamber,
a heating unit to heat water in the first chamber, a steam flow
path that connects the first chamber to the tub, a connection flow
path that connects the steam flow path to the arm flow path, and a
flow path valve configured to close the steam flow path based on
water being supplied to the connection flow path, and to open the
steam flow path based on a lack of water being supplied to the
connection flow path.
Inventors: |
YOON; Sangheon; (Seoul,
KR) ; SHIN; Gapsu; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE;
Taehee; (Seoul, KR) ; PYO; Joonho; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG Electronics Inc. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
61024633 |
Appl. No.: |
15/877778 |
Filed: |
January 23, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 2601/04 20130101;
A47L 15/4221 20130101; A47L 2501/04 20130101; A47L 2601/02
20130101; A47L 15/08 20130101; A47L 15/4225 20130101; A47L 15/0015
20130101; A47L 15/0052 20130101; A47L 15/4234 20130101; A47L
2501/03 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/08 20060101
A47L015/08; A47L 15/00 20060101 A47L015/00; A47L 15/42 20060101
A47L015/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 26, 2017 |
KR |
10-2017-0013007 |
Claims
1. A dishwasher comprising: a tub configured to accommodate an
object to be washed; a spray arm located in the tub and configured
to spray water to the object; a sump configured to store water; a
pump body connected to the sump, the pump body comprising a
partition that partitions the pump body into a first chamber and a
second chamber; a communication hole defined in the partition and
configured to communicate with the first chamber and the second
chamber; a pump flow path that connects the sump to the first
chamber and that is configured to guide water from the sump to the
first chamber; an arm flow path that connects the spray arm to an
inside of the second chamber; an impeller located within the second
chamber and configured to rotate to supply water to the arm flow
path; a heating unit configured to heat water stored in the first
chamber; a steam flow path that connects the first chamber to the
tub; a connection flow path that connects the steam flow path to
the arm flow path; and a flow path valve configured to: close the
steam flow path based on water being supplied to the connection
flow path, and open the steam flow path based on a lack of water
being supplied to the connection flow path.
2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the flow path valve
comprises an elastic part that is configured to: expand toward an
inner surface of the steam flow path based on water being supplied
through the connection flow path; and shrink away from the inner
surface of the steam flow path based on a lack of water being
supplied through the connection flow path.
3. The dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein the elastic part is
located at a connection point at which the connection flow path is
connected to the steam flow path.
4. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the steam flow path
comprises a first steam flow path connected to the first chamber,
and a second steam flow path connected to the tub, and wherein the
flow path valve comprises: a body configured to connect the first
steam flow path to the second steam flow path; an inlet port
configured to connect the connection flow path to the body; and an
elastic part located in the inlet port and configured to: expand to
interrupt connection between the first steam flow path and the
second steam flow path based on water being supplied to the inlet
port, and allow communication between the first steam flow path and
the second steam flow path based on a lack of water being supplied
to the inlet port.
5. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the steam flow path
comprises a first steam flow path connected to the first chamber,
and a second steam flow path connected to the tub, and wherein the
flow path valve comprises: a body configured to connect the first
steam flow path to the second steam flow path; an inlet port
configured to connect the connection flow path to the body; and a
rotating plate located in the inlet port and configured to: rotate
in a first direction to interrupt connection between the first
steam flow path and the second steam flow path based on water being
supplied to the inlet port, and rotate in a second direction to
allow communication between the first steam flow path and the
second steam flow path based on a lack of water being supplied to
the inlet port.
6. The dishwasher according to claim 5, wherein the rotating plate
is further configured to rotate in the second direction by a weight
of the rotating plate to close the inlet port based on a lack of
water being supplied to the inlet port.
7. The dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising: a
nozzle body coupled to an inner peripheral surface of the tub and
connected to the steam flow path, the nozzle body being configured
to receive steam from the steam flow path; a nozzle outlet port
configured to discharge steam from the nozzle body to an inside of
the tub; and a nozzle valve located in the nozzle body and
configured to: open the steam flow path based on steam being
supplied through the steam flow path, and close the steam flow path
based on a lack of steam being supplied through the steam flow
path.
8. The dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising: a
nozzle body coupled to an inner peripheral surface of the tub and
connected to the steam flow path, the nozzle body being configured
to receive steam from the steam flow path; a nozzle outlet port
configured to discharge steam from the nozzle body to an inside of
the tub; and a nozzle valve located in the nozzle body and
configured to: open the nozzle outlet port based on steam being
supplied through the steam flow path, and close the nozzle outlet
port based on a lack of steam being supplied through the steam flow
path.
9. The dishwasher according to claim 7, further comprising a door
configured to open or close at least a portion of the tub, wherein
the nozzle body is coupled to the door.
10. The dishwasher according to claim 8, further comprising a door
configured to open or close at least a portion of the tub, wherein
the nozzle body is coupled to the door.
11. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the heating unit
comprises: a heat transfer portion that defines a bottom surface of
the first chamber, the heat transfer portion comprising a
conductor; and a heater located outside of the first chamber and
configured to provide heat to the heat transfer portion.
12. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber
is located vertically below the partition, and the second chamber
is located vertically above the partition.
13. The dishwasher according to claim 12, wherein the flow path
valve is located vertically above the second chamber.
14. The dishwasher according to claim 5, wherein the inlet port
includes a shaft located at an inner surface of the inlet port and
rotatably coupled to a first end of the rotating plate.
15. The dishwasher according to claim 14, wherein the rotating
plate includes a second end that is configured to: contact an inner
surface of at least one of the first steam flow path or the second
steam flow path based on water being supplied to the inlet port;
and contact the inner surface of the inlet port based on a lack of
water being supplied to the inlet port.
16. The dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein the elastic part
includes a surface that is configured to contact an inner surface
of the steam flow path based on expansion of the elastic part.
17. The dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein the inlet port is
located between the first steam flow path and the second steam flow
path.
18. A dishwasher comprising: a tub configured to accommodate an
object to be washed; a spray arm located in the tub and configured
to spray water to the object; a sump configured to store water; a
pump body connected to the sump, the pump body comprising a
partition that partitions the pump body into a first chamber and a
second chamber; a communication hole defined in the partition and
configured to communicate with the first chamber and the second
chamber; a pump flow path that connects the sump to the first
chamber and that is configured to guide water from the sump to the
first chamber; an arm flow path that connects the spray arm to an
inside of the second chamber; an impeller located within the second
chamber and configured to rotate to supply water to the arm flow
path; a heating unit configured to heat water stored in the first
chamber; a steam flow path that connects the first chamber to the
tub; a connection flow path that connects the steam flow path to
the arm flow path; and a flow path valve configured to, based on
rotation of the impeller, restrict introduction of air to the first
chamber through the steam flow path.
19. The dishwater according to claim 18, wherein the flow path
valve is further configured to: close the steam flow path based on
water being supplied to the connection flow path; and open the
steam flow path based on a lack of water being supplied to the
connection flow path.
20. The dishwater according to claim 19, wherein the flow path
valve comprises an elastic part located at a connection point at
which the connection flow path is connected to the steam flow path,
and wherein the elastic part is configured to: expand toward an
inner surface of the steam flow path based on water being supplied
to the connection flow path, and shrink away from the inner surface
of the steam flow path based on a lack of water being supplied to
the connection flow path.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a dishwasher.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A dishwasher is a home appliance that removes impurities
remaining on a washing object by spraying water on the washing
object. A conventional dishwasher generally includes a tub, which
provides a washing space, a rack, which is provided in the tub to
accommodate a washing object therein, a spray arm, which sprays
water to the rack, a sump, which stores water therein, and a pump,
which supplies the water stored in the sump to the spray arm.
[0003] Meanwhile, among conventional dishwashers, there is one
capable of washing or sterilizing a washing object by supplying
steam to the washing object. Among conventional dishwashers using
steam, there is one having a heater provided inside a pump to heat
water. In this case, the dishwasher essentially requires a steam
flow path, which interconnects the inside of the pump and a tub.
That is, the dishwasher having the heater provided inside the pump
needs to have an arm flow path, which interconnects the pump and a
spray arm, and the steam flow path, which interconnects the pump
and the tub.
[0004] However, the dishwasher having the heater provided inside
the pump functions to heat water or supply steam to the tub using
the heater provided inside the pump, but causes deterioration in
water pressure and noise when supplying water to the spray arm by
operating the pump.
[0005] That is, since the pump moves water to the arm flow path via
an impeller, which is rotatably provided inside a chamber in which
water is stored, and the steam flow path is provided to
interconnect the chamber and the tub, the air inside the tub may be
introduced into the chamber through the steam flow path during
rotation of the impeller. When the air is introduced into the
chamber through the steam flow path, the pressure of water supplied
to the spray arm through the arm flow path may be deteriorated, and
noise may be generated during rotation of the impeller.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0006] Therefore, it is one object of the present invention to
provide a dishwasher having a pump capable of performing both a
function of supplying steam to a washing object and a function of
supplying water to the washing object.
[0007] In addition, it is another object of the present invention
to provide a dishwasher capable of minimizing the generation of
noise and deterioration in the pressure of water in a pump, which
is capable of supplying steam and water to a washing object.
[0008] In addition, it is a further object of the present invention
to provide a dishwasher in which a steam flow path, which supplies
steam to a tub, and an arm flow path, which supplies water to a
spray arm, are connected to a pump, the dishwasher being capable of
preventing air from being introduced into the pump through the
steam flow path when water is supplied to the spray arm.
Technical Solution
[0009] To achieve the objects described above, in accordance with
one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dishwasher
including a tub configured to accommodate a washing object therein,
a spray arm configured to spray water to the washing object, a sump
configured to store water therein, a pump body including a first
chamber and a second chamber separated from each other via a
partition, a communication hole formed in the partition for
communication between the first chamber and the second chamber, a
pump flow path configured to interconnect the sump and the first
chamber so as to guide the water stored in the sump to the first
chamber, an arm flow path configured to interconnect an inside of
the second chamber and the spray arm, an impeller rotatably
provided inside the second chamber to supply the water to the arm
flow path, a heating unit configured to heat the water stored
inside the first chamber, a steam flow path configured to
interconnect the first chamber and the tub, a connection flow path
configured to interconnect the arm flow path and the steam flow
path, and a flow path valve configured to close the steam flow path
when the water is supplied to the connection flow path and to open
the steam flow path when no water is supplied to the connection
flow path.
[0010] The flow path valve may include an elastic piece configured
to expand when the water is supplied through the connection flow
path and to constrict by restoration force when no water is
supplied through the connection flow path.
[0011] The elastic piece may be provided at a connection point of
the steam flow path and the connection flow path.
[0012] The steam flow path may include a first steam flow path
connected to the first chamber and a second steam flow path
connected to the tub, and the flow path valve may include a body
configured to interconnect the first steam flow path and the second
steam flow path, an inlet port configured to connect the connection
flow path to the body, and an elastic piece provided in the inlet
port and configured to expand so as to interrupt connection between
the first steam flow path and the second steam flow path when the
water is supplied to the inlet port and to permit communication
between the first steam flow path and the second steam flow path
when no water is supplied to the inlet port.
[0013] The steam flow path may include a first steam flow path
connected to the first chamber and a second steam flow path
connected to the tub, and the flow path valve may include a body
configured to interconnect the first steam flow path and the second
steam flow path, an inlet port configured to connect the connection
flow path to the body, and a rotating plate rotatably provided in
the inlet port so as to interrupt connection between the first
steam flow path and the second steam flow path when the water is
supplied to the inlet port and to permit communication between the
first steam flow path and the second steam flow path when no water
is supplied to the inlet port.
[0014] The rotating plate may close the inlet port by a weight
thereof when no water is supplied to the inlet port.
[0015] The dishwasher may further include a nozzle body fixed to an
inner peripheral surface of the tub and connected to the steam flow
path, a nozzle outlet port configured to discharge steam introduced
into the nozzle body to an inside of the tub, and a nozzle valve
provided in the nozzle body and configured to open the steam flow
path when steam is supplied through the steam flow path and to
close the steam flow path when no steam is supplied through the
steam flow path.
[0016] The dishwasher may further include a nozzle body fixed to an
inner peripheral surface of the tub and connected to the steam flow
path, a nozzle outlet port configured to discharge steam introduced
into the nozzle body to an inside of the tub, and a nozzle valve
provided in the nozzle body and configured to open the nozzle
outlet port when steam is supplied through the steam flow path and
to close the nozzle outlet port when no steam is supplied through
the steam flow path.
[0017] The dishwasher may further include a door configured to open
or close the tub, and the nozzle body may be fixed to the door.
[0018] The heating unit may include a heat transfer portion
configured to form a bottom surface of the first chamber and formed
as a conductor, and a heater located outside the first chamber and
configured to heat the heat transfer portion.
[0019] The first chamber may be located below the partition, and
the second chamber may be located above the partition.
Advantageous Effects
[0020] The present invention has an effect of providing a
dishwasher having a pump capable of performing both a function of
supplying steam to a washing object and a function of supplying
water to the washing object.
[0021] In addition, the present invention has an effect of
providing a dishwasher capable of minimizing the generation of
noise and deterioration in the pressure of water in a pump, which
is capable of supplying steam and water to a washing object.
[0022] In addition, the present invention has an effect of
providing a dishwasher in which a steam flow path, which supplies
steam to a tub, and an arm flow path, which supplies water to a
spray arm, are connected to a pump, the dishwasher being capable of
preventing air from being introduced into the pump through the
steam flow path when water is supplied to the spray arm.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the invention.
[0024] In the drawings:
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a dishwasher according to
the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a pump according to the
present invention; and
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a flow path valve according
to the present invention.
BEST MODE
[0028] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying
drawings. A configuration or a control method of a device to be
described below is merely given to describe the embodiments of the
present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the
present invention. The same reference numerals will be given to the
same components throughout the specification.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a dishwasher 100 may include a
cabinet 1, a tub 11, which is provided inside the cabinet to
provide a washing space therein, spray arms 3 and 5, which spray
water to a washing object, and a pump 8, which supplies water to
the spray arms.
[0030] A rack may be provided inside the tub 11 to accommodate the
washing object therein. The rack may include an upper rack 191
provided in an upper region of the tub and a lower rack 193
provided in a lower region of the tub (below the upper rack).
[0031] The tub 11 is opened or closed by a door 16, which is
provided on one surface of the cabinet. Thus, a user may open the
tub 11 using the door 16, and then may discharge the racks 191 and
193 from the tub 11.
[0032] In the case in which the rack includes the upper rack 191
and the lower rack 193, the spray arms may include an upper arm 3,
which sprays water to the upper rack 191, and a lower arm 5, which
sprays water to the lower rack 193.
[0033] The water sprayed from the spray arms 3 and 5 to the washing
object (i.e. the water remaining in the tub) may be collected in a
sump 13.
[0034] The sump 13 is provided below the tub 11, and serves to
store water therein. The sump 13 may be separated from the tub 11
via a sump cover 15. In this case, the sump cover 15 may have a
collecting hole 151 for communication between the inside of the tub
11 and the inside of the sump 13.
[0035] Meanwhile, the sump 13 is connected to a water supply source
(not illustrated) through a water supply flow path 135. The water
supply flow path 135 may be opened or closed by a water supply
valve 136, which is controlled by a controller (not
illustrated).
[0036] The water stored in the sump 13 is discharged to the outside
of the dishwasher through a drain flow path 137 and a drain pump
139.
[0037] The water stored in the sump 13 is supplied to the spray
arms 3 and 5 via the pump 8 and an arm flow path 7. The arm flow
path 7 may be configured with a first supply pipe 71, which is
connected to the pump 8, a second supply pipe 73, which
interconnects the first supply pipe 71 and the upper arm 3, and a
third supply pipe 75, which interconnects the first supply pipe 71
and the lower arm 5.
[0038] The upper arm 3 may be rotatably coupled to the second
supply pipe 73, and the lower arm 5 may be rotatably coupled to the
third supply pipe 75.
[0039] The second supply pipe 73 and the third supply pipe 75 may
be obtained by diverging the first supply pipe 71. In this case, a
switching valve 77 may be provided at the divergent point of the
second supply pipe 73 and the third supply pipe 75 to control the
opening or closing of each supply pipe.
[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the pump 8 includes a pump body
82, which is fixed inside the cabinet 1, a partition 84, which
divides the space inside the pump body 82 to form a first chamber
C1 and a second chamber C2 inside the pump body 82, a communication
hole 86, which is formed in the partition 84 for communication
between the first chamber C1 and the second chamber C2, and an
impeller 85, which is rotatably provided inside the second
chamber.
[0041] The first chamber C1 includes a pump inlet 841 formed in the
pump body 82. The pump inlet 841 is connected to the sump 13
through a pump flow path 81. Thus, the first chamber C1 receives
the water stored in the sump 13 through the pump flow path 81.
[0042] The second chamber C2 includes a pump outlet 849 formed in
the pump body 82. The first supply pipe 71 is connected to the
second chamber C2 via the pump outlet 849.
[0043] The impeller 85 is rotated by a motor 87, which is fixed on
the upper surface of the pump body 82. A rotating shaft 873 of the
motor penetrates the upper surface of the pump body, and is
connected to the impeller 85.
[0044] Meanwhile, a heating unit 89 is provided in the bottom
surface of the first chamber C1 of the pump. When the pump body 82
takes the form of a cylinder having an open lower side, the heating
unit 89 may be provided so as to form the bottom surface of the
first chamber C1. In this case, the heating unit 89 may include a
heat transfer portion 891, which forms the bottom surface of the
first chamber C1, and a heater 893, which is located outside the
first chamber C1 and fixed to the heat transfer portion. The heat
transfer portion 891 may be formed of a metal that easily transfers
heat.
[0045] Since the heating unit 89 is provided so as to form the
bottom surface of the first chamber C1, the pump provided in the
present invention is capable of performing both a function of
supplying water to the spray arms 3 and 5 and a function of heating
water.
[0046] In addition, the dishwasher 100 having the pump 8 described
above may supply steam to the tub 11 via the heating unit 89
provided in the pump 8. To this end, the dishwasher 100 may further
include a steam supply unit 6.
[0047] The steam supply unit 6 may include a nozzle 61, which
sprays steam to the inside of the tub 11, and a steam flow path 63,
which interconnects the nozzle 61 and the first chamber C1.
[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the case in which the
nozzle 61 is provided in the door 16. In this case, the nozzle 61
may be fixed to the lower portion of the one surface of the door
that forms the inner peripheral surface of the tub.
[0049] The dishwasher 100 having the above-described structure may
cause deterioration in the pressure of water inside the first
chamber C1 and the generation of noise when the impeller 85 is
rotated via the motor 87. This is because the air inside the tub 11
may be introduced into the first chamber C1 through the steam
supply unit 6 during rotation of the impeller 85.
[0050] In order to solve this problem, in the present invention, a
connection flow path 69 may be provided to interconnect the arm
flow path 7 and the steam flow path 63, and a flow path valve 67
may be provided to open or close the steam flow path 63 depending
on whether or not water is supplied to the connection flow path
69.
[0051] The flow path valve 67 closes the steam flow path 63 when
the impeller 85 is rotated and water is supplied to the connection
flow path 69, and opens the steam flow path 63 when the operation
of the impeller 85 is stopped and no water is supplied to the
connection flow path 69. As an example, the flow path valve 67
illustrated in FIG. 2 includes an elastic piece 675 (e.g. a rubber
plate), which expands to close the steam flow path 63 when water is
supplied through the connection flow path 69, and constricts to
open the steam flow path 63 when no water is supplied through the
connection flow path 69. In this case, the elastic piece may be
provided at the connection point of the steam flow path 63 and the
connection flow path 69.
[0052] The steam flow path 63 may include a first steam flow path
631 connected to the first chamber C1 and a second steam flow path
633 connected to the tub via the nozzle 61. The flow path valve 67
may further include a body 671, which interconnects the first steam
flow path 631 and the second steam flow path 633, and an inlet port
673, which connects the connection flow path 69 to the body 671.
The elastic piece 675 may be located in the inlet port 673.
[0053] The body 671 has a body introduction hole 671a to which the
first steam flow path 631 is fixed and a body discharge hole 671b
to which the second steam flow path 633 is fixed. The steam
introduced into the body 671 through the body introduction hole
671a moves to the second steam flow path 633 through the body
discharge hole 671b.
[0054] Thus, when water is supplied to the inlet port 673 via
rotation of the impeller, the elastic piece 675 expands to
interrupt the connection of the first steam flow path 631 and the
second steam flow path 633 (refer to the dotted line). When the
rotation of the impeller is stopped and no water is supplied to the
inlet port 673, the elastic piece 675 constricts to permit
communication between the first steam flow path 631 and the second
steam flow path 633.
[0055] The flow path valve 67 having the above-described structure
may prevent the air inside the tub 11 from being introduced into
the first chamber C1 through the steam flow path 63 because it
closes the steam flow path 63 when the impeller 85 is rotated.
Thus, the present invention may minimize deterioration in the
pressure of water in the pump 8 and the generation of noise by
preventing the air inside the tub from being introduced into the
first chamber C1 through the steam flow path 63 when the pump 8,
which implements a function of generating steam and a function of
supplying water to a washing object, is operated.
[0056] FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the flow path valve
67. The flow path valve 67 according to the present embodiment
includes the body 671, which interconnects the first steam flow
path 631 and the second steam flow path 633, the inlet port 673,
which connects the connection flow path 69 to the body 671, and a
rotating plate 677, which is rotatably provided in the inlet port
673.
[0057] The rotating plate 677 interrupts the connection of the
first steam flow path 631 and the second steam flow path 633 when
water is supplied to the inlet port 673, and permits communication
between the first steam flow path 631 and the second steam flow
path 633 when no water is supplied to the inlet port 673.
[0058] The rotating plate 677 is rotatably provided in the inlet
port 673 so as to close the inlet port by the weight thereof when
no water is supplied to the inlet port 673 (or so as to open the
body introduction hole and the body discharge hole formed in the
body). That is, the rotating plate 677 may be rotatably fixed in
the upper region of the inlet port 673.
[0059] In order to more assuredly prevent the air inside the tub
from being introduced into the first chamber C1 when the impeller
85 is rotated, the dishwasher of the present invention may further
include a nozzle valve 65 for opening or closing the nozzle 61.
[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the nozzle 61 may include a nozzle
body 611, which is fixed to the one surface of the door 16 that
forms the inner peripheral surface of the tub 11, a nozzle inlet
port 613, which interconnects the nozzle body 611 and the steam
flow path 63 so that steam is supplied into the nozzle body, and a
nozzle outlet port 615, which discharges the steam introduced into
the nozzle body 611 to the tub 11.
[0061] In this case, the nozzle valve 65 may be provided in the
nozzle body 611 so as to open the steam flow path 63 when steam is
supplied through the steam flow path 63 and to close the steam flow
path 63 when no steam is supplied through the steam flow path
63.
[0062] Alternatively, the nozzle valve 65 may be configured to open
or close the nozzle outlet port 615 depending on whether or not
steam is supplied into the nozzle body 611. That is, the nozzle
valve 65 may open the nozzle outlet port 615 when steam is supplied
into the nozzle body 611, and may close the nozzle outlet port 615
when no steam is supplied to the nozzle body 611.
[0063] The present invention may be modified and implemented in
various forms and the scope of the present invention is not limited
to the above-described embodiments. Thus, modifications of the
embodiments should be interpreted as being included in the scope of
the present invention so long as they include components defined by
the following claims.
* * * * *